![Why Nitish Kumar and Jitan Ram Manjhi are fighting over fruit trees](http://media.assettype.com/tnm%2Fimport%2FfallBack-article-main-image.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The state of Bihar is set to have the elections to the Legislative Assembly but the former and the incumbent Chief Ministers are reportedly having a row over mangoes and litchis. According to a report in The Indian Express, 24 armed policemen are guarding more than a 100 mango, litchi and jackfruit trees in the former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s residence at 1, Anne Marg, Patna. Manjhi and his party, the Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM), claim that the force is present there at the behest of CM Nitish Kumar of the JD(U). “I never thought Nitish can stoop to this level.” Manjhi was supposed to vacate the official CM’s residence earlier but did not comply as he said an alternative accommodation had not been allotted. Kumar had continued working from 7, Circular House, which had been assigned to him when he was former CM. JD(U) spokesperson Niraj Kumar called it as “a desperate publicity attempt by HAM.” On Wednesday, Manjhi was quoted saying: “I never thought Nitish can stoop to this level.” “At a time when Nitish Kumar should engage more policemen to improve law-and-order, he is concerned about his mangoes and litchis being stolen. Nitishji is neither willing to swap residences with Manjhi, nor is he providing an alternative accommodation to him,” HAM spokesperson Danish Rizwan said. According to the HAM, eight sub-inspectors and 16 constables are deputed with the task of protecting the trees.